Alas, simplicity isn't always simple to achieve: You'll have to use iGo's Solution Finder tool to determine whether your notebook can use the everywhere85 (70 watts continuous/85 watts peak output, US$129.99) or need the slightly larger (6.1 by 2.5 by 1.3 in.), heavier (17 oz.) everywhere130 (90 watts continuous/130 watts peak, US$149.99).

And make sure you're getting all the necessary cables and connectors. If none of the standard connector tips fits your laptop, you'll also have to lay out for one of those -- they run US$9.99 and up. (Sadly, but not unexpectedly, there are no connectors for Apple MacBooks.)

Neat feature: Both models of the iGo everywhere charger also let you charge a handheld simultaneously with the laptop -- but you have to buy a separate connector tip.

Connect it

How many times a day does this happen to you? You sit down, open up your laptop and check for an available wireless connection. And you discover once again that the few that aren't locked down aren't free.

You could buy yet another day pass or subscribe to yet another chain's service. But what you really need is some one-stop shopping: a wireless connection account that gives you access to more than one set of hot spots.

iPassConnect

Enter iPass. In March, iPass began selling its iPassConnect Wi-Fi connectivity service, which was formerly available to only enterprise customers, directly to individuals.

For US$29.95 a month, you can get unlimited access to more than 24,000 Wi-Fi hot spots and Ethernet-equipped hotels in the US -- brand-name places that include Starbucks, Borders, McDonald's, Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, Hyatt and a gaggle of airline clubs and airport sites.

If you travel overseas, US$44.95 will get you access in more than 90,000 Wi-Fi hot-spot and Ethernet locations, as well as local dial-up numbers, in 160 countries. And if you go beyond the reach of wireless LANs, US$69.95 (plus a $125 service fee) will get you a 3G WAN card and access to 1xRTT or EV-DO mobile broadband in most of urban and suburban America. And US$84.95 will take those capabilities overseas.

This is all integrated via the iPassConnect Mobility Manager, a single application that identifies and connects to Wi-Fi hot spots (including your home router if you have one), WAN, wired Ethernet in hotels or dial-up phone lines (the directory is built into the software).

Boost it

Why is it that no matter where you travel, you always get stuck in Bermuda Triangle wireless locations -- the remote seat in the airport lounge where Wi-Fi signals are only a rumor, or the hotel room where you have to stand on the windowsill to get a mobile phone signal?